CHAPTER ELEVEN
Meagan decided to pay Toby a visit. She'd spent as much time with him as possible since the delivery of Petunia, Rose's calf. Meagan reached his door, knocked, and seconds later the door burst wide open. Toby stood before her with a wide grin splashed across his face.
"I thought it would be you."
"What gave you that idea?"
"’Cause you like to come see me."
"That's true Toby. I do." Meagan fluffed the boy’s hair with her fingertips. "How would you like to go on a picnic with me today?"
"Wow!" Toby's eyes lit up in delight. "A real picnic with a basket and a blanket and everything?"
"The whole works," Meagan promised.
"Let me ask Ma."
Meagan watched as he disappeared inside. In a matter of seconds, he was back. "Ma says it's okay so long as you're taking me. She says you're a good lady."
Touched by the compliment, Meagan nodded. "All right then. I'll go get the picnic basket. You get yourself ready."
"I am ready." Toby declared.
Meagan glanced at his grubby hands and dirt-stained face. "No, Toby. This is our first picnic together, and I want you cleaned up for the occasion."
"What!"
His horror stricken eyes stared at her. Meagan had a difficult time keeping a straight face. "That's right. A long scrub in the stream, then we'll go."
Skepticism was painted on his face. Meagan decided to make the bargain a bit sweeter. "Tell you what. You get cleaned up, and I'll include one of my fresh baked apple pies into the bargain. How about that?" She didn't bother to mention that she'd intended to bring the pie she'd baked this morning, anyway.
Toby's doubtful gaze turned jubilant. "I love apple pie!" His brows drew together in thought. "You've got yourself a deal." He offered his grubby hand to seal the deal. Meagan grasped it, shaking her head as she stared down at the brown spot it left against her skin. "I'll be back in half an hour. I'll expect you to be shiny clean and dressed when I return."
Meagan packed their lunch. She surveyed the contents of the basket with a grin. She'd packed too much food for two people. Meagan wondered if she could convince Jeremy to join them on their outing. She'd attempted several times to befriend the child, but he seemed reluctant to open up. Maybe he still feared she'd take Bessie from him.
Meagan headed back to fetch Toby. He'd kept his end of the bargain and stood tall and proud in front of her.
Meagan circled around him one direction, then back around the other way. He wore his best outfit, newly washed though slightly worn. His hair, still damp, curled about his face, and she could see every freckle on his shining face.
His wide eyes stared up at her. "I scrubbed real hard, just like you said."
"I can see that." Meagan handed him the smaller of the two baskets. He held his other hand out for her. Touched, Meagan clasped it. She decided it only fair to ask permission from Toby before inviting another guest along. "Toby, I was thinking of asking Jeremy along on our picnic. Would that be okay with you?"
"You mean the boy with your dog?"
"That's right."
"I imagine you miss your dog something fierce."
"Yes, I do. But he's Jeremy's dog now. I would like to see her, though."
"Well," Toby frowned, "I guess it's okay with me. That is," he looked up at her, "if I don't have to share any of my apple pie. I worked hard for it."
Meagan squeezed his hand. "Don't worry. I already thought of that, and brought an extra slice."
Toby nodded. They walked side by side to Jeremy's house.
Meagan knocked, and was a bit surprised when a young woman, maybe fifteen or sixteen years old, answered. Each time she'd come before, Jeremy had been the one to answer the door.
"Hello." Meagan greeted the girl, undaunted by the wary stare reflected in the girl's brown eyes as she flipped her straight, light brown hair behind her shoulder. She didn't speak.
"I'm Meagan Daniel's. I work down at the ranch." Meagan tilted her head sideways. "This is Toby."
Toby held his hand out. Meagan was pleased when she held her hand out in kind.
"Hello, Toby. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
Meagan smiled at Toby's adult manner as he shook hands with the girl.
"I was hoping Jeremy would accompany us on a picnic."
The girl shook her head. "He won't want to do that."
Bristles climbed up Meagan's spine. "I'd like to ask Jeremy personally. We have chicken, beans, and homemade apple pie."
"Jeremy can't go on your picnic."
Meagan studied the girl in silence as she determined her next approach. The girl stood eye level with her, her golden brown eyes mirroring defiance.
"If you’d just let me speak to Jeremy. I," Meagan stopped mid sentence as she noticed a small head peering from behind the girl's skirt. "Hello, Jeremy."
Jeremy darted back behind the girl and disappeared.
Disappointed, Meagan decided to try a different approach. "What's your name?"
"Sarah."
Meagan’s curiosity rose when Sarah cast a nervous glance behind her. "May I come in, Sarah?"
"I have to go now. I'm real busy." Sarah slammed the door in her face.
Meagan stiffened. She was determined to find out what was happening in that house. She'd stay here all day, if necessary.
"Let's go," Toby whined behind her.
Meagan felt her anger deflate as she studied Toby's impatient frown. "I want to try just one more time. If it doesn't work, then we'll leave. Okay?"
Toby sat on the ground and placed his chin in his hands. "You'd better hurry, cause I'm hungry for that pie, and my clothes itch."
Meagan knocked on the door, but got no response. She repeated her action, louder this time. The door opened. Meagan opened her mouth, prepared to scold the girl for her rudeness, but it was Jeremy who appeared. His hair was brushed and he'd put on his shoes. He turned and whistled. Bessie ran to his side. He mumbled a quiet, "let's go." He walked out the door, past them both and led the way.
Meagan ignored Bessie's greeting and glanced toward Sarah, who stood in the cracked opening of the door. "I'll take good care of him. We'll be home before dark." Meagan followed Jeremy, urging Toby to speed up so they could catch up with him.
Toby's indignant glance met hers. "He can't have no pie before he takes a bath."
"We'll see, Toby." Meagan knew that was not the first request she would make of Jeremy. "Let's take it one step at a time. He's very shy."
"I'd have been shy, too, if I didn't have to take a bath for pie."
Meagan smothered a laugh at Toby's down on his luck expression. She squeezed his small hand, then whispered, "yes, but now you're so handsome I won't be able to resist you."
Appeased, Toby released her hand and began to skip beside her. Meagan was careful not to crowd Jeremy, or make any advances toward Bessie. She'd made one small step toward friendship today, and wasn't about to let anything get in her way now.
It was Jeremy who chose the spot for their picnic. He came upon a grassy meadow beside the stream, surrounded by trees. Within walking distance, huge cliffs towered above, and Meagan knew she couldn't have picked a more beautiful, peaceful place, if the decision had been hers.
Meagan spread out the blanket and sat beside Toby. Within minutes Jeremy came and sat beside her. Meagan smiled in satisfaction. There was plenty of room on the blanket, yet he'd chosen a spot near her. Meagan searched the contents of the basket, delighted by the enthusiastic response the food brought to both boys faces.
They ate while Bessie chased a squirrel, then a bird, then an imaginary animal. It was fun to watch, and Meagan found herself thoroughly entertained. Stuffed, she rolled on the ground, moaning that her stomach couldn't hold another thing. Soon Toby was imitating her and a small smile escaped from Jeremy's lips.
Meagan stood. "I think a walk would do me good." She glanced toward the boys and extended both hands towards them. "Would you
two like to join me?"
Toby grabbed her outstretched hand, and a sense of triumph washed through Meagan as Jeremy hesitated only a moment before doing the same to her other. Meagan walked along the bank of the stream.
In no time they were running and playing. Bessie jumped all over them. Giggles and barks floated through the air as two boys, a woman and a dog formed a massive tangled pile as they wrestled. It was difficult to tell who was having the most fun, and sometimes even difficult to tell who was who.
That's how Cole found them. He watched Meagan play with the children, and wondered how she'd managed to get Jeremy to open up to her. Just then she stood and shook grass from her hair before once again being tackled. Cole's heart missed a beat as he stared at her.
He rode up closer, slid off Lucifer and strode to where they wrestled. "Hello, Meagan."
Meagan peeked through a bent arm with a grin. "Okay, you two," Meagan struggled to free herself, "we have company." She maneuvered her way out of the pile and stood before Cole in a highly disheveled state.
"You look great," Cole smiled at her futile attempts to straighten her tangled hair. Her color deepened. "I like the way you blush," he teased mercilessly, enjoying himself thoroughly as the rosy hue turned a decided shade of crimson.
"Meagan cooked me a pie," Toby piped up, ignoring Meagan's frantic motions. "I get the whole pie because I took a bath. It was a deal."
"Oh, it was, was it?" Cole's eyebrow quirked with amusement as he asked mischievously, "did you taste the pie before making your deal?"
"Sure. I ate most of Meagan's piece yesterday, and a whole piece today." Toby ran to the basket and returned with a full pie minus the one slice he'd eaten. "You can taste it, if you want."
Cole inspected the pie, then looked at Meagan. "You baked this pie?"
Meagan couldn't flat out lie to him. Unable to come up with a good half truth on the spur of the moment, she answered. "Yes."
Cole sampled the pie, chewing slowly. Several highly charged seconds passed before he stated in a carefully even voice. "My compliments to you, Meagan. It's delicious."
"Meagan bakes lots of things and brings them to me," Toby said. "My ma keeps saying that she practically don't have to cook nothin' no more, thanks to Meagan."
Cole slid from his horse and approached Meagan. "What do you have to say about that, Meagan?"
Cole's tone was less than friendly. Meagan struggled for an explanation. Nothing brilliant came to mind. "Your mother helped." She didn't miss the spark of anger that ignited Cole's eyes, and continued desperately, "I really don't know how to cook very well. I wanted to learn, though. Your mother has been teaching me."
"And just where was my dear, helpful mother when you were preparing those delicious dinners we've been eating?"
"She didn't help with those."
"Obviously."
The single word sent a chill through her.
"I think you have some explaining to do."
"I do?"
"I'm sure of it."
Desperate to justify her actions, Meagan stated with conviction. "I tried to prepare an edible breakfast that first day."
"And then?" Cole prompted.
"Then I didn't."
His eyes rolled impatiently as he moved in even closer. "Why didn't you?"
"Because I wanted to learn how to cook."
Cole's baffled gaze fixed on her. "You cooked the most vile meals possible because you wanted to learn how to cook?"
"They weren't that vile," Meagan protested, a bit insulted.
"Meagan."
"Okay, Okay." She held up her hands to halt his scolding. "That's right. That's what I did." She turned away.
"Meagan, get back here."
A quick glance over her shoulder told her he wasn't done with her yet. She turned reluctantly back.
"Explain."
"It's really quite simple," Meagan began. "Your mother told me she would teach me how to cook if I agreed not to put that learning to use on your meals. A pay back of sorts, I suppose."
"A pay back for what?"
"For hiring me to cook for you." Meagan stared up at Cole. "I don't think she was too happy about that."
"Obviously."
Meagan was beginning to dislike that word. Preparing her defense, she was about to speak when a scream pierced the air. She pivoted toward the sound. She relaxed quicker than her heartbeat did as she watched Toby and Jeremy playing in the stream. They'd removed their shoes and socks, rolled up their pants and were splashing each other. Jeremy copied Toby and removed his shirt. He threw it on the bank beside Toby's.
Meagan couldn't control the small gasp that escaped from her lips as she stared at Jeremy. His whole back, and most of one arm was covered with huge black bruises. She took two steps towards them before she was stopped by the gentle pressure of Cole's hand on her arm.
"Not now, Meagan. You'll frighten him."
"We can't just ignore those bruises, Cole. If we don't do something, he'll go back into that house. Who knows what will happen to him." Meagan shook her head. "I can't let that happen."
"I won't let anything more happen to him, Meagan," Cole promised. He urged her to follow him to a clump of trees, away from where the boys played. "Jeremy won't go back into that house. Not until I have a long talk with his pa, and make sure he'll be safe."
Meagan was about to argue but Cole's expression silenced her. A small muscle twitched near his jaw, his lips were drawn in a thin line, and his eyes flashed fury. He was holding his temper in check for her benefit, but she knew he wouldn't be as generous with Jeremy's father.
"I want to go to him."
Cole cast a frustrated glance towards the boys. "I know you do. So do I but I think it's best to let them play. I'm sure it's been beaten into Jeremy, literally, to keep quiet about his pa. If you go to him now, you may scare him away for good."
Cole was right. Meagan knew it, even as she wanted to deny it. Jeremy needed help, but they had to tread carefully.
Cole looked at her. "I'm going to invite Toby to spend a few nights with us at the ranch, and insist that Jeremy come to keep him company. I think Jeremy will agree as long as Toby's there. I'll talk to Toby's parents after we get back."
Meagan nodded and allowed Cole to lead her back to the blanket. Toby never mentioned Jeremy's bruises. Sometimes, Meagan thought, children knew how to handle things better than the adults. She rested her head against Cole's and watched them play for nearly an hour without speaking a single word. There was nothing more to be said.
Cole finally stood. "Toby, Jeremy, it's time to leave."
Meagan remained seated as she watched the boys dress, Toby came up to them, Jeremy following behind. "I talked to your folks," Cole lied smoothly to the boys, "and they’ve agreed to let you two come stay at the ranch with me and Meagan for a while. How does that sound?"
Toby jumped with glee. "Yea, yea!" He ran in circles, holding his arms straight out, a huge grin never leaving his face.
His excitement rubbed off on Jeremy, who smiled quietly. "I guess that might be okay."
Cole placed the two boys on Lucifer, and led the stallion by his reins as he walked beside Meagan.
Soon after they arrived at the ranch, Cole disappeared. No one asked where he went. Everyone knew. Everyone, that is, except for Toby and Jeremy, who were too busy inspecting the big house to even notice he was gone.
When he returned almost an hour later, Meagan stared in shocked surprise. Following behind him were seven children. Sarah was the only one she recognized. Not one smile could be witnessed in the entire group.
Meagan said nothing as she noticed a large bruise forming on Cole's right hand. She turned on her heel, and with Anne's help began to prepare every room in the house. They were having company.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Cole's anticipation increased with each stride as he made his way toward the kitchen. The smell of bacon invaded his nostrils as he entered the kitchen.
Meagan appeared b
efore him with a large spoon. "Cole, stir the gravy. please."
Cole took the spoon she thrust at him. His mother was cutting biscuits from a huge mound of dough. Meagan removed a dozen or more slices of bacon from an iron skillet and added the crisp strips to the already ample pile. Cole glanced down at the pot of gravy. There was enough to feed a small army, which, with nine extra mouths to feed, Cole supposed was exactly what they were about to do.
Meagan set the platter of bacon aside and bent low to fetch some potatoes. Cole watched her every move, impressed by her efficient manner and the enticing curve of her behind. She reached up to fetch some glasses and he allowed his gaze to travel over the curve of her breasts as they pressed against the bodice of her dress. She brushed a strand of hair from her face. A smear of flour rested on her cheek. Cole had a sudden urge to lick it clean. Each movement Meagan made suggested something intimate, and Cole wished he were alone with her right this minute.
Meagan tossed a glance his way. "How's the gravy."
Cole forced his gaze from Meagan and grimaced at the lumpy substance. "Doing great," he assured with a quick smile. He breathed a silent sigh of relief when the majority of lumps dissolved.
Meagan removed a huge stack of plates from the mahogany, glass front cupboard and disappeared into the dining room. Soon, plates were heaped with bacon, biscuits and gravy, fried potatoes, fruit, and toast. Several large pitchers of juice accompanied the meal, and in no time at all the children were served. They devoured every bite placed in front of them.
Cole watched Meagan move from child to child. She gave each child a moment of attention. A warm glow radiated from the younger children's faces at her attention. They giggled between themselves when her back was turned.
Stephen came up beside him. "She's something, isn't she?"
Cole nodded. "She sure is."
"Her cooking seems to have improved."
Cole grinned. "Some time ago, from what I understand."
Stephen shook his head, a wry smile on his face. "I suspected as much."
Cole studied Meagan. "You spent a lot of time out at her place, didn't you?"
Deanna Tompkins Page 13